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PUBLISHED OCTOBER 18, 2005 |
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Teo's Flamenco KeyTeo Morca unlocks treasures and learning in his second workshop in Atlanta. By Martha SidAhmed
What are those magical five simple building blocks? Attend Teo's 4 days of workshop November 17-20 and he will reveal them to you in person! Those who have studied flamenco for even a little while have become familiar with names like tangos and sevillanas. Those bitten by the bug have gone on to learn names like bulerías, soleá, and alegrías. Those now hopelessly imprisoned by flamenco with no chance of parole have become acquainted with seguiriyas and tarantos. But even in advanced circles, how many know of or have even seen garrotín, caracoles or zapateado? An aspect of flamenco that keeps it such a "mysterious art form" - I just heard this description on the radio promo for Noche Flamenca as I'm writing this - is it's restless and shapeshifting nature. Years ago, flamenco was performed as only one third of Spanish dance repertoire, sharing the stage with suites of provincial dances from Aragon, Galicia, Valencia, Castilla la Vieja, Basque area and castanet choreographies interpreting the Spanish classical masters de Falla, Albeniz, Granados. Companies were huge, with lavish costumes and set design and layered musical support. They were the River Dance of their day. But flamenco always finished the show and brought audiences to their feet. An all flamenco show was less expensive to produce and was still successful. Next we saw the whole rich platter of just Andalusia displayed in a mix of regional and flamenco dances - alegrías, caña, caracoles, colombianas, farruca, fandangos, garrotín, guajira, peteneras, serranas, sevillanas, tanguillos, verdiales, zapateado. And it was now the more gypsy flamenco palo of bulerías that was ejecting us from our seats at the end of the evening. Today's flamenco performance strives for the authenticity of traditional gypsy repertoire of soleá, seguiriya, alegrías, tarantos, tientos, martinete, and of course bulerías, and audiences are on their feet for much of the adrenalin busting experience. Many artists are examining the poetry and literature of Spain for thematic material. They are beginning to rummage through the flamenco attic rediscovering, in the forgotten and ignored, overlooked possibilities for new expressions. Teo Morca is our flamenco attic. He has created and performed and taught everywhere with everyone. He has been there through all the fads and fancies and caprices of our beloved mercurial art. I, for one, can't wait for him to pop the lock on these treasures that he preserves and safeguards: Garrotín, with its sly gracia and tangos compás, will be attainable for beginners and yet fun for all. Caracoles should prove a wonderful upper body workout with fluid armwork over a 12 count compás. And feet will ride the galloping pulse of zapateado in a precision drill like they've never known. If participants want to try working a hat with garrotín or a bata de cola with caracoles, then they are welcome to the challenge. Small sticks simulating the traditional riding crop will be provided for zapateado. Last year, the entire state of Vermont was declared an endangered site by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. If the Trust ever decides to extend it's protection to people, Teo should be on that list. Registration is currently underway for Teo Morca's workshop. Classes are open to dancers with at least two months of flamenco dance experience. Visit jaleole.com's events page for more details about the workshop.
Flamenco Spread - YUMMY!Flamenco dance teachers spread out across Atlanta with different styles, different flavors. By Gloriela RosasHave you tried all the different flamenco dance flavors around Atlanta? If you haven't, now is your chance. Flamenco dance has spread across Atlanta and is being taught at key points inside and outside the perimeter. Many students have experienced the different styles of most of the instructors in Atlanta, and flavors range from a very authentic taste to the very spicy side and to the sweet side. In Atlanta resides one of the most experienced flamenco instructors, Martha SidAhmed. Martha started teaching flamenco dance in Atlanta back in the 1980s. Many students have gone through SidAhmed's teaching. Kim Christopher has taken classes from Martha for many years now, and she describes Martha's class as "chocolate - rich, satisfying and addictive." For more information about Martha's background and her knowledge of flamenco, check out the jaleole.com archive. Martha offers classes in her private studio at her home. To contact Martha about her classes and fees email her at: molybones@earthlink.net Atlanta also has one male flamenco instructor, John Jaramillo. He has performed nationally and internationally since 1983. Flamenco dance student Alessandra Favoretto says, "John's class can be compared to Spanish saffron, a traditional and precious spice that intensifies any dish's flavor and color with just a little bit of it. His teaching technique combines traditional dance moves, while focusing on proper posture, challenging zapateo, and powerful marcajes, all in what resembles a mini-workshop giving intensity to each class." John Jaramillo has been teaching flamenco in Atlanta for several years. After a short break, John is returning to teaching. You can find more about Jaramillo's background, schedule, fees, and teaching location at www.johnjaramillo.com. From great instructors come new ones. There are four new instructors that have flourished in Atlanta in the last three years. Each of these instructors brings to the table a specific flavor, a flavor that very much describes their personality. Karina Martinez's classes are "like salt. Without Salt, your food will be bland. Without good posture, floreos and braseo you'll be eating those patada chips salt- free (yuck!)," says flamenco dance student Rebecca Money Johnson. Martinez, originally from Mexico city has 6 years of flamenco experience. Currently a member of Perla Flamenca dance company, she recently decided to teach others what she knows best: floreos, beautiful arms and hands movements to accompany your choreography. Contact Martinez at luka25_99@hotmail.com or 404.432.9536 for information about her classes. After nearly one year break from teaching group lessons, Rina Menosky is ready to share her knowledge of learnig flamenco again. She has recently opened up a new technique class with a theme "Be clean, be strong and be coordinated". Originally from Japan, Menosky was a member of Perla Flamenca dance company. In June of 2005 she left the company to become a solo artist and to pass on her experience to Atlanta flamenco fans. We look forward to hearing about her style from her new students. Contact Menosky at 404.457.3775 or bailerina@comcast.net for her class schedule. Julie Baggenstoss, from New Orleans, has over 20 years of dance experience under her belt. She was also a member of Perla Flamenca dance company and decided to go solo a couple of years ago. Since then, she has been teaching, choreographing, and organizing events helping the flamenco art increase in Atlanta. Her student, Rebecca Johnson says "Julie's classes are sweet, like dessert. Improvization is the perfect finish to learning technique. And just like dessert, you look forward to improvizing after your savory 'patada chips!'". Julie's class schedule can be found at www.flamencoclasses.com. Last but not least is Gloriela "Loly" Rosas, a native from Panama with over 20 years of dance experience, six of them in flamenco. Currently a member of Perla Flamenca dance company, Loly started to teach a little over a year ago spreading the art of flamenco in the metro area of Atlanta. One of her students, Linda Perez describes her class as "fresas con crema. Una vez terminas, puedes quedar hastiado, pero te queda en la boca un gusto que te hace querer más y más." One of Loly's classes has created a large reaction to the students - Zapateos 4/50. What's zapateos? It's basically footwork, technique, but according to Alessandra Favoretto, "Gloriela's zapateo class is like exotic spices that are intriguing and make you sweat before you even taste it. It's a spicy flavor you want to challenge yourself with since her zapateo expertise and talent shines through in her teaching. Her determination to bring out the best "zapateadora" in each of her student will leave you craving for more!" To get information about Loly's classes, fees, and locations, contact her at glomaros@comcast.net. There you have Atlanta's flamenco spread. Its here for you to have a taste, or as Rebecca Money Johnson says, "Eat a balanced meal! Take classes from everyone!" Now it's your turn to taste and see for yourself this variety of flavors. I can assure they are all to jaleo for! Flamenco at the FoxStrenght meets grace in the performance by Ballet Flamenco Jose Porcel Porcel's October visit was his second to the Atlanta. The Seville native performed in the city in 2000 as an invited artist with Compania Espanola de Antonio Marquez. Since then, Porcel created his own company, Ballet Flamenco Jose Porcel, which has appeared in Spain and around the world. The company's performance in Atlanta is among nine that it will make in a U.S. tour this year. Porcel says he enjoys performing in the United States because audiences are so supportive. "They understand the art, the passion, the soul," said Porcel during a pre-show interview with Carmen Deal, Atlanta flamenco singer. "In places in the United States, Latinos get excited about the performances from the beginning. In places without Latin Americans, they people are quiet, but in the end, the performers bring everything out and the audience gets excited." And so people got rowdy as Ballet Flamenco Jose Porcel performed at
The Fabulous Fox Theater despite being on Monday night. After all was
said and done, some of the local aficionados got to meet Porcel back
stage:
Rialto Hosts Noche FlamencaBe entertained, educated, and most importantly enthused by this exciting performance. By Melissa StiersThey're coming, and very soon. November 12 is a week away, and on this night, the Rialto Center For the Performing Arts will treat Atlanta to a flamenco performance by Noche Flamenca, a company that has traveled from the source, or very near to the source. The company was founded in Madrid in 1993 by artistic director Martin Santangelo and his wife, Soledad Barrio.
The performance alone will provide a clue of flamenco's source. It may resonate within you so deeply, you will feel you had a part in its creation. The dancer's thunder, the singer's cry and the guitar's weeping of joy and sorrow are your own. In addition, as an intellectual appetizer, local flamenco teacher and dancer Julie Baggenstoss will provide a pre-show lecture informing us of the roots of flamenco and its evolution. The 30-minute lecture begins at 7 p.m. It is free of charge with your Noche Flamenca ticket. The actual performance starts at 8 p.m. So come early and sate your mind before your soul is fed. Following the show on Sunday, Soledad Barrio gives Atlanta flamenco dance students a second chance to become inspired by her talent. She'll teach a one-hour master class for all levels at Several Dancers Core, located at 519 N. McDonough Street in Downtown Decatur. The class begins at 9:15 a.m. and admission is free. Spaces in the class are limited, so you you must RSVP to attend the class. RSVP by calling 404-277-1499 beginning on Saturday, Nov. 12. No RSVPs will be accepted before that time. Visit jaleole.com's events page for more information about the show.
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"Teo unlocked yet another impediment for me with flamenco when he said, 'Flamenco can really be broken down into five simple building blocks,' and then through his method answered the question, 'Am I allowed to do this in my dance?'" 
Ballet
Flamenco Jose Porcel is an exciting, creative blend of man's strength
and woman's grace - two elements that give flamenco its power. The blend
brought cheers from Atlantans during the company's performance at The
Fabulous Fox Theater on October 10. 
Where is the source of flamenco anyway, or should we ask what is the source of flamenco? Anyone who has brushed souls with the art can confirm that the answer is an enigma. Flamenco performances enrapture us in the art's mystery, and the flamenco companies that have graced the Rialto stage have not failed in their invocation. A glance at Noche Flamenca, its reviews and history, promises an exciting performance. They have been called extraordinary, fascinating, deceptive and richly deserving of attention, maintaining the essence, purity and integrity of one of the most complicated and mysterious of all art forms.